SHA TIN PREVIEW 🇭🇰

R1️⃣ – BEACON HILL HANDICAP

The suggestion is DAILY TROPHY to make the breakthrough on start number eleven. His recent improvement has come on dirt but the Caspar Fownes 4YO drops in class, is well drawn and Ellis Wong takes 10Ib off. The selection is unexposed on the surface and his penultimate start, a respectable midfield finish at Happy Valley, was run over an inadequate trip. Unlike most of the field, he generally gives his running and arrives with momentum. What of the others? – Nordic Combined showed more last time, also drops in class and reunited with James McDonald while Choicerus sees Hugh Bowman take the reins for the first time since a low key debut last year. Zac Purton keeps faith with Rattan World for in-form Jamie Richards, but slow starts remain a stumbling block.

R2️⃣ – CAROLINE HILL HANDICAP

An interesting race can go to lightly raced, GOLDEN RISE and Zac Purton. The son of Written Tycoon couldn’t justify favouritism on New Year’s Day but a ¾ length third to Dream Pursuer was a fine effort. John Size is 22 adrift of trailblazing, Pierre Ng in the Trainers’ table, but has been unlucky with 7 second place finishes in the last week. From barrier 2 I’m expecting a big run. I’ll include CHARITY BINGO (Each Way) for Danny Shum. The son of Buratino knows how to win, having rattled off a hat-trick in the U.K. and gradually getting his act together here. He boxed on well latest when eighth to Fun Together and drops in grade. Gate 10 is wide enough but we have world-class James McDonald on our side.

R3️⃣ – BENNET’S HILL HANDICAP

The New Year’s Day meeting at Sha Tin produced a superb finish between Wunderbar and KA YING RISING with the former prevailing on the line. The runner-up won on debut to justify his position as market leader, and in another stride would be arriving here unbeaten for David Hayes. Though drawing a wide barrier, the son of Shamexpress is 3Ib better off with his rival and taken to gain revenge. Nothing is certain, but it’s difficult to imagine this as anything other than a two horse race. I occasionally have two selections but to pick both would be the epitome of hedging one’s bets!

R4️⃣ – CHEUNG SHAN HANDICAP

A typically competitive hurtle down the straight track with the vote going to FUN ELITE for Benno Yung. A son of Brazen Beau, he won his debut in taking fashion last month over C&D. Prominent throughout, Lyle Hewitson never had to get serious to run out a 1½ length winner from market leader, Baby Crystal with the same gap back to third. The scratching of market rival, Rise Companions (lame right fore) robs the race of an intriguing debutant, but strengthens the case for the selection. Panda is a lightly raced 3YO with leading claims while the more experienced, Super Commander bids for back to back success over track and trip. Reserve runner, Valiant Elegance sneaks in under Andrea Atzeni but needs to better recent performances to take a hand.

R5️⃣ – PO LEUNG KUK CUP (HANDICAP)

This doesn’t appear especially strong for the grade which presents the class-droppers with a clear chance. The least exposed is Superb Kid but I prefer the experienced, SETANTA (Each Way) and COMPASSION SPIRIT. There’s a feeling of déjà vu regarding the former – last year he also dropped in grade with Lyle Hewitson onboard and duly won from barrier 12 – his form, like this season, was also average prior to victory. Compassion Spirit doesn’t win out of turn but is down to an appealing mark and goes well for Zac Purton – 1,1,4,4,1,2,2 – his most recent victory came over C&D and he returns to this trip having been campaigned solely over 1200M this term.

R6️⃣ – DIAMOND HILL HANDICAP

Super Goldi won over track and trip on debut and has claims up 6Ib. Triumphant Warrior outran his odds first-up and things didn’t go to plan next time. Gangnam Star has yet to build on an excellent debut but is trained by Pierre Ng. In a race lacking star quality it might be worth chancing newcomer, GENEVA for David Hall. The Capitalist gelding has impressed in trials and Hugh Bowman rides. I’ll also include the Douglas Whyte trained, STRATHPEFFER (Each Way), 0-14 but unlucky not to have won a race or two. The 4YO has had the misfortune to bump into Raging Blizzard and Ka Ying Rising this season, and is entitled to go close.

R7️⃣ – STEWARDS’ CUP (GROUP 1)

A fascinating renewal. The bottom pair, Healthy Happy and Fantastic Treasure look tested, Russian Emperor wants further but the remaining quintet all have chances. I would narrow it down to three – Beauty Joy, Voyage Bubble and BEAUTY ETERNAL. The last named was too keen in the Longines Hong Kong Mile but can continue the excellent record that John Size boasts in this Group 1.

R8️⃣ – KEUNG SHAN HANDICAP

A cracking Class 2 with a host of chances. The vote goes to THE BEST PEACH, a four time winner for Clive Cox when trained in the U.K. A record of 1-16 in Hong Kong is modest but he arrives in excellent form and the step up to 2000M could be just peachy for the Twilight Son gelding. The selection is 0-6 this season but has made the podium on four occasions and his latest third to Helios Express from barrier 13, a sterling effort. He draws gate 13 again but it’s of less consequence at this trip and the booking of Hugh Bowman an obvious plus. For a light horse, the steadier of 135Ib is a tough ask but he carried the same weight under the Australian when an excellent second to Universal Horizon last season.

R9️⃣ – TIN WAN SHAN HANDICAP

I like to take a chance with my ‘BB’ and HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE (Best Bet) gets the vote in a quality handicap. The Deep Field gelding races off a mark 11Ib higher than his last success but is a class act and top 3 finishes this campaign, behind Son Pak Fu and Majestic Knight, confirm the ability is intact. Oddly, he has only raced twice at Sha Tin in a 16 race career, but has performed with credit on both occasions, latterly a very good fourth (after trouble in running) to Flaming Rabbit on his only try at this distance. His latest runs would suggest 1400M is required and James McDonald takes the reins.

R🔟 – TSZ WAN SHAN HANDICAP

The end of an excellent card and STORM RIDER (Next Best) can remain unbeaten for David Hayes. The selection picked up second on debut and that promise was confirmed with a stylish success over C&D three weeks ago. The assessor has slapped him with a 10Ib rise but he’s unexposed and can cope with the rise in grade with Zac Purton maintaining the partnership.